Pool Today, Gone Tomorrow

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- As the U.S. Olympic swim trials wrap up here today, among the new stars are two prefabricated, above-ground pools.

Located in a parking lot, the two 50-meter pools -- one for competition and an adjoining warm-up model -- were erected just over a month ago and will be dismantled and shipped elsewhere by mid-August. And having served their primary purpose, they now are a successful case study for communities hoping...